Melrose Native Identified as Slain Officer in Planned Parenthood Shooting

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer killed after a gunman opened fire inside a Planned Parenthood before finally surrendering more than five hours later was identified as a Massachusetts native.

Garrett Swasey, 44, was among three others killed in the shooting. Nine others, including five police officers, were injured and are listed in good condition.

A Melrose native, Swasey moved to Colorado in the 1980s to pursue competitive figure skating, the Boston Globe reports. Swasey was a 1989 graduate of Melrose High School.

His father, David Swasey, 73, told the paper his heart sank when he was told his song was among the dead. “He was a great dad,” Swasey told the paper. “I mean, a super dad. Everybody in the police department loved him. Anybody who ever met him loved him. He was a great guy, a great person.”

“The entire Melrose Police Department mourns the loss of our brother officer and native son of Melrose. Officer Swasey graduated from Melrose High School in 1989, along with Melrose Mayor Robert Dolan and several of our current Melrose police officers. This is a tragic and senseless loss of life, as a man who dedicated much of his life to helping others was murdered while performing his duties,” Melrose Police Chief Michael L. Lyle said in a statement. “On behalf of our entire community, I offer my most sincere condolences to the Swasey family, especially his wife and two children, during this impossibly difficult time.”

Swasey had been with the UCCS police department for six years. A man of faith, Swasey also served as co-pastor of Hope Chapel in Colorado Springs.

His wife Rachel Swasey issued a statement Sunday thanking everyone for their support during this difficult time. She said her husband’s greatest joys were his family, his church and his profession adding that being a police officer was a part of him.

“While the nation now knows Garrett as a hero who gave his life for others, he was also a devoted husband of 17 years and a wonderful father to his two children,” the statement said. “In the end, his last act was for the safety and wellbeing of others and was a tribute to his life. What we need most today, and in the coming weeks, is your prayers for our family and for others who were impacted by this tragedy.”

She asked for the public’s support in allowing the family to grieve privately.

UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley Zalabak released the following statement

It is with great sadness that I share that the tragic events today at the offices of Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs have touched the campus of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

A UCCS police officer, Garrett Swasey, 44, responded in support of Colorado Springs Police to the active shooter situation at about 11:50 a.m. Friday. He was killed in the line of duty.

UCCS officers are sworn, state-certified police officers. Officer Swasey was on duty at the campus and responded in support of Colorado Springs Police.

Officer Swasey was a six-year veteran of the UCCS Police Department.

UCCS is working with Officer Swasey’s family and continues to support the Colorado Springs Police Department at the shooting scene.

All questions about the investigation of Planned Parenthood shootings should be directed to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

“May God bless Officer Garrett Swasey and the Americans he tried to save -- and may He grant the rest of us the courage to do the same thing,” President Obama said in a statement.

Swasey leaves behind his wife Rachel and two young children aged 6 and 10. An online fundraising page has been started as an education fund.

Police identified the suspected gunman Saturday morning as Robert Dear, 57.

Picture of Officer Garrett Swasey courtesy UCCS